Global Head of Risk Strategy (Fintech)

Airwallex-; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Airwallex, a global payments fintech, is seeking a Head of Risk based in the UK or Netherlands to lead the second line risk management across worldwide operations. You will build robust frameworks, governance, and monitoring, turning risk management into a business enabler for growth.

The role partners with the CROC and senior leaders, defines risk appetite, oversees product, market, and regulatory risk, and mentors a global team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Law, or a related field.
• 15+ years of relevant experience in Risk Management, Compliance, Control, or Audit within fintech, payments, remittance, banking, or broader financial services.
• Strong experience building or leading risk management frameworks, governance models, and oversight programmes in a complex, multi jurisdiction environment.
• Demonstrated ability to define and operationalise risk appetite, policies, metrics, and escalation processes that support business growth while maintaining effective control standards.
• Experience working closely with senior management and cross functional teams, with excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to influence at executive level.
• Experience leading international teams and operating effectively in a fast-paced environment with high standards, evolving priorities, and significant cross functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Airwallex's global risk management framework across monitoring, policy, governance, and assurance.
• Create and execute risk strategies, metrics, and monitoring across products and markets.
• Partner closely with Risk Product, Risk Operations, Engineering, Product, Data Science, Commercial, Operations, Compliance, and other stakeholders to manage risk at product, portfolio, market, merchant, and entity levels.
• Communicate Airwallex's risk appetite clearly across the company, helping teams make sound decisions and strengthening risk standards adoption.
• Collaborate with business, operations, technology, and product leaders to deliver measurable business outcomes while minimising exposure to financial crime, fraud, and other risks.
• Monitor, enhance, and embed the Risk Management Framework so all global entities operate within tolerance levels and governance expectations.
• Work with the Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer, CEO, and senior executives on risk, governance, and strategic topics, including escalation of material issues.
• Advise management on external risk, governance, and regulatory requirements across markets Airwallex operates in, and evolve risk posture with global footprint.
• Champion a strong risk culture and ownership across Airwallex as a competitive advantage.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high performing global risk team to support next growth phase.

Skills

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Governance

Stakeholder influence

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Law, or a related field

Job description

Airwallex, a global payments fintech, is seeking a Head of Risk based in the UK or Netherlands to lead the second line risk management across worldwide operations. You will build robust frameworks, governance, and monitoring, turning risk management into a business enabler for growth.

The role partners with the CROC and senior leaders, defines risk appetite, oversees product, market, and regulatory risk, and mentors a global team.